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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Grace to assume school governance Two-house fire caused by towel left on stove On Track moms embark on food and garden project Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Two-house fire caused by towel left on stove Man charged with trying to lure children Two houses burning in east Medford Politics and Elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Education Grace to assume school governance AHS principal up for national award Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Environment Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City State News Brown says she'll preserve Oregon death penalty moratorium Tentative deal reached in West Coast port labor dispute State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon Psychic gets 8 years for con of timber heir Economists project 'kicker' rebates Nation - World Obituaries Evon "Bud" Pennington Charles H. 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Mangino: Crime, intrigue and politics in Pennsylvania Voter bill secures a fundamental right Feb. 20: Letters to the editor 'Big' government is not so big after all Antionette Kerr: Let’s honor Anthony and the rights of all women Editorials Voter bill secures a fundamental right Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Our View: A sad end to a historic career Letters to the Editor Feb. 20: Letters to the editor Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 16 Columns 'Big' government is not so big after all Kent Bush: Mars One is more reality television than rocket launch Male staffers take lead in Clinton run Congress rightly should engage in war debate Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional Anniversary: Hofer Trail to Charismatic Conifers The Rocks Speak: Earth's old wrinkles Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Food Tammy Kelly: Comfort food makes cold weather better Community blog: Citrus fruits shine in foods fresh and preserved Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Page H. 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Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Health Watch: Health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Third Fridays showcases local artists The music that made Paris famous Theater 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Music Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Dining Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 21 ... Since You Asked: Natural gas pipeline along I-5 built in 1963 ... Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life ... Get Up & Go: Saturday, Feb. 21 ... Since You Asked: Natural gas pipeline along I-5 built in 1963 ... Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life ... BOLES FIRE 'I was terrified' Comment By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 18, 2014 @ 2:00 am Updated Sep 18, 2014 at 3:22 PM By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 18, 2014 @ 2:00 am Updated Sep 18, 2014 at 3:22 PM » RELATED CONTENT How you can help --> Alonzo Greene, one of the organizers of a community donation center set up in Bel Air Park in Weed, says his group has been overwhelmed with donations and was able to help 30 families on Wednesd... » Read more X How you can help Alonzo Greene, one of the organizers of a community donation center set up in Bel Air Park in Weed, says his group has been overwhelmed with donations and was able to help 30 families on Wednesday alone. Greene, assistant pastor at the Mt. Shasta Baptist Church in Weed, said they've stopped taking clothing and have much of what is required to help families in the short-term. But long-term, families will need things like gift cards for gas and groceries as they rebuild their lives, he said. Organizations in the Rogue Valley and elsewhere continue to gather cash and other donations for the victims of the Boles fire. Here are ways to help: • United Way of Jackson County has opened an account at US Bank to accept monetary donations. Donations can be made at any US Bank branch and will be sent directly to the community without United Way taking any fee. For more information, call United Way at 541-773-5339 or email [email protected] . • A drop site to accept non-monetary donations has been set up at the Community Bible Church, 500 N. 10th St., Central Point. Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, when the items will be delivered. Clean articles of clothing in good shape of all sizes and types, shoes, personal care items for small children and adults, ready-to-eat, non-perishable foods, cat and dog food, and portable baby cribs are all needed. Organizers ask that people please not donate furniture. The items will be delivered to the Hope Community Church, 974 Lassen Lane, Mount Shasta. • Two truckloads of supplies, toiletries, clothing and non-perishable food are being delivered from Ashland to Weed residents displaced by the Boles fire Friday. Donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries except for toothbrushes and can openers are the items most needed at this time, according to an email from the City of Ashland. Donations can be made at the Ashland High School main office, 201 S. Mountain Ave.; Ashland Homes Real Estate, 150 E. Main St. and the large blue research building behind the Skinner building at the Ashland airport, 403 Dead Indian Memorial Road. • Southern Oregon Subaru will match dollar for dollar (up to $1,000) a fund to buy clothing and personal items. The dealership will use funds collected Wednesday and today to purchase clothes from Goodwill and personal items from a local store on Friday. Donations may be dropped off at Southern Oregon Subaru, 3103 Biddle Road, Medford. • The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are accepting donations for those affected by the disaster. Red Cross offices are at 10 Hawthorne St., Medford; the Salvation Army is at 304 Beatty St., Medford. • The Shasta Regional Community Foundation's Community Disaster Relief Fund is accepting donations online at http://www.shastarcf.org . • Tandy Payant, of Medford, has established a donation area in front of Sherm's Food 4 Less, 2230 Biddle Road, for non-perishable food, water and other items that will be picked up and delivered every night at least until Friday. • Volunteers needed to sort clothing in Weed • Weed blaze 65 percent contained • Devastating inferno in Weed leaves behind a blackened town • People use social media to help Boles fire victims • CalFire offers $10,000 reward for information on cause of... • UPDATE: Blaze in Weed 20 percent contained • Dramatic photos and videos of Boles fire on social media • Weed residents begin to assess damage as crews make progr... • United Way sets up fund for Weed fire victims • Weed fire damage rises to 150 structures • Rogue Valley residents rally to aid victims of Boles fire • Fast-growing wildfire burns 100 structures in Weed, Calif. • Social media reports on Weed, Calif., fire » Social News Gene Toms watched in his rear-view mirror as his house of 37 years — the house he had raised his two children in — was engulfed in flames early Monday afternoon. Toms, a retired police officer and former firefighter, was eating lunch, and his wife, Lana, was cleaning when they first spotted the fire sweeping over the hill near their home in Weed, Calif. Within 10 minutes, everything they owned, except their three dogs, some cash and medication, the clothes on their backs and the car they drove away in, would be gone. “It’s kind of an empty feeling when all you’ve worked for your whole life you drive away from and you realize, ‘I don’t have anything other than the clothes on my back,’ ” Toms said Wednesday. “It’s a horrible feeling.” Among the Tomses’ losses were all their wedding photos, the Christmas presents for their children, Gene Toms’ police certifications and awards, the $2,500 in cash they had put aside for a trip to Disneyland with their grandchildren, and the home they had recently paid off. “No matter what the insurance pays, we’ll never get back what we had,” Toms said. “But we got out safe.” In all his years with the police and fire departments, Toms said he’d never seen a fire move that quickly. The wildfire started near Boles Creek just east of town around 1:30 p.m. Monday and, driven by 45 mph winds, destroyed 110 structures, including two churches and the library, and damaged 90 other buildings in just a few hours. Weed Elementary School and the Roseburg Forest Products mill, one of Siskiyou County’s largest employers, also were damaged. More than 1,500 people, half of the city’s population, were forced to evacuate in a hurry. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that three people were injured. However, the extent of those injuries is unknown as calls to Cal Fire Wednesday were not immediately returned. As of Wednesday afternoon, crews had a containment line drawn fully around the 375-acre fire's perimeter, but still considered it only 25 percent contained because of the intense heat and embers that remained inside the line, Cal Fire officials said. More than 950 firefighters were on the scene Wednesday to extinguish these hot spots. Crews also were hard at work cleaning pink fire retardant off the homes, cars and fences that had been spared. How the fire started remains under investigation. Cal Fire is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information on the fire's origin. Mounds of charred rubble and burned-out cars and appliances were all that remained of some neighborhoods. And downed power lines draped hazardously over empty streets. Taylor Yoakum, 19, sifted through the ruins of her family’s home on North Davis Street next to the now former Grace Community Evangelical Presbyterian Church. She was wearing a pink shirt and jeans that had been donated, since all of her other clothes and possessions had been lost in the fire. Yoakum said she and her parents were home when the fire came over the hill just south of them. Seconds after the Yoakums saw the black plumes of smoke, emergency personnel drove down their street ordering people to evacuate immediately. “They were screaming, ‘Get out! Get Out!’ ” she said. Yoakum’s family runs an animal sanctuary from their home and had just enough time to grab nine of their 30 cats and eight of their 10 dogs. One of their dogs had been hiding under the bed and another had run off, she said. The Mt. Shasta Animal Hospital found two of their missing cats, but both were badly burned. Her mother, Gabby Yoakum, said the family has insurance and will rebuild in Weed. “All this stuff is stuff, but there are some things we can’t replace, like my dad’s shadow box and my animals,” she said through tears. Her dad’s shadow box contained naval memorabilia from his service in the Vietnam War, his medals and the flag that had been draped over his casket at his funeral. “I don’t even own a pair of tennis shoes, or a sweatshirt or a toothbrush,” Gabby Yoakum said. “I don’t have anything, but I feel like I have everything because of this community.” Cindy Kasper, a business development manager with Cronic Disaster Services, was standing nearby and estimated that it would take around eight months to clear rubble and build a house on the Yoakums' property. “Those without insurance will have to get friends and volunteers to shovel their property before they can start to rebuild,” she said. Down the street, an ember caught Bob Hodges' garage on fire. Inside were his power tools, a generator and some garage sale finds, as well as his wife’s only picture of her mother as a little girl. When the fire started, Hodges got his wife to safety and then returned three times to get medication and his 12-foot albino Burmese python. “That doesn’t matter,” he said, pointing to his ruined garage. “I’m alive. My wife’s alive. And we have our house. “I’m one of the lucky ones,” he added. Mary and Jim Taylor were also lucky. Jim Taylor, a docent at the Weed Historic Museum, with help from two firefighters, saved his family’s home, as well as two of the neighboring homes. Taylor rushed home from work when the fire started and told his wife to close the windows, get their dog and cat and leave. Taylor started the sprinklers and the neighbors' sprinklers. When sheriff’s deputies told him he had to leave, he politely told them they would have to handcuff him and put him in the back of their car if they wanted him to leave, Mary Taylor said. Two firemen showed up and stayed with Jim Taylor until the worst was over. “Had they not stopped, it would have all been gone,” Mary Taylor said. Meanwhile, she watched and waited from Sons Park, a ball field in Weed. “My God, I was terrified,” she said. The people around her were crying and hugging as they watched their homes being destroyed. She said the sound was deafening, like hundreds of propane tanks exploding, and there was black smoke as far as she could see. Around 4 p.m. Monday, a police officer told Taylor he would go check on her house and husband. “I told him it was 810 Hillside Drive, blue house with white shutters,” she said. “When he came back, he said the house was fine. The relief was immense.” Sadly, the same could not be said for most of the houses in her neighborhood. Reach reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt. Reporters Sam Wheeler and Ryan Pfeil contributed to this article. By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 18, 2014 @ 2:00 am Updated Sep 18, 2014 at 3:22 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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